Discover the beauty of the gardens at Seaton Delaval Hall - stroll through the parterre, relax in the peaceful privy garden, explore the wider Vanbrugh landscape and give a hug to our old Weeping Ash...

From 50 things, to family events, to geocaching, to exploring the playscape there’s lots of fun to be had at Seaton Delaval Hall – enjoy our open spaces and run wild and play, like the unruly Delaval children would have done!

The Delaval family loved a performance, staging events from rope dancers to masquerade balls and even their own lavish theatrical productions. Join us for theatrics and merriment throughout the week - it's the hottest ticket in town!

Our work

Although now in a very sorry state, when they were created in the 18th century the stucco statues in the Central Hall at Seaton Delaval Hall represented the six muses of arts and science, namely sculpture, painting, architecture, astronomy, geography and music.

Overview

A place of great theatre and drama

Seaton Delaval may have been one of the architect Sir John Vanbrugh’s smallest country houses; but it was home to the larger than life Delaval family.

The house and surrounding landscape were in keeping with the style expected in Georgian society, yet behind the formality lies a story of theatrical mischief.

Known as the ‘Gay Delavals’ due to their high spirited and flamboyant lifestyle, an invitation to one of their parties was the hottest ticket in town. In an age notorious for extremes of behaviour, they stood apart as the most notorious of all Georgian partygoers and pranksters. Imagine awaking in the house to find your room “turned upside down” with furniture fixed to the ceiling.

Enter a world where an extraordinary lifestyle was acted out in the most colourful way. The Delavals loved a performance, staging events from rope dancers and sack races outdoors to masquerade balls and even their own theatrical productions, which earned rave reviews at the time.

Seaton Delaval Hall has moved from fortune to misfortune many times through the centuries and the story of its survival is as dramatic as any performance that could be staged. It still bears the scars of the fierce fires which almost condemned it to ruin two hundred years ago, but even today plays a major part in the history of the North East.

Prices

What is Gift Aid?

Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.

Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:

Gift Aid Admission

Standard Admission

If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.

Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.

An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:

Please note...

Gift Aid entry ncludes a voluntary donation of at least 10% which will be put towards the restoration and upkeep of this place. If you are a UK taxpayer, please complete a Gift Aid declaration which will allow the National Trust to claim an extra 25% from the Government on your total payment.